Shane Carwin’s doctor gives him an ultimatum: surgery or retirement

Shane Carwin weighs in for his main event fight at UFC 131 against dos Santos. Photo by ProMMAnow.com

UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin had planned to return to the Octagon on December 30 to take on “one of the best in the world” at UFC 141. However, after experiencing some problems with his back during training, and following an MRI, his doctor gave him a serious ultimatum: surgery or retirement.

“As I ramped up my training for UFC 141 my body locked up during training. It wasn’t like the Lesnar fight but my back just tightened up and I froze. I scheduled an MRI and the results showed that my disc in my lower back is into the nerves . My doctor gave me two options; retire and I could probably go on for a few years without surgery or I could undergo surgery and continue my career.”

“The decision was easy. I have unfinished business. The UFC had me lined up to face one of the best in the world and I am confident I have everything I need to be a Champion. I am scheduling surgery and I hope to return to the Octagon by spring or summer 2012.”

Carwin won his first 12 fights as a professional, and all in the first round. After knocking out Frank Mir to take home the UFC Interim Heavyweight Title at UFC 111, he then faced UFC Heavyweight Champ Brock Lesnar to unify the titles.

After a dominating first round by Carwin, Lesnar came back to submit him in round two, giving the Colorado native the first loss of his career.

Carwin returned to the Octagon nearly a year later to face Junior dos Santos in a heavyweight title eliminator at UFC 131 in June 2011. Dos Santos’ boxing and hand speed were too much for Carwin and he ended up giving the former NCAA Division II wrestler the second straight loss of his career.

Although Carwin states in his blog he was to make his return at UFC 141, the UFC had not yet announced the bout or who his opponent might have been.